‘Shot over a week in an observational style, the film follows Peter, a retired actor, who lives with his partner of sixty years, Douglas. Both in their eighties, their lives have become increasingly centred around their old age, Peter having taken more of a carer’s role for Douglas. As Douglas approaches his eighty-third birthday, the couple reflect on their age and changing relationship. Along with friends and helpers, they offer an intimate view into how old age affects their lives: from getting out of bed in the morning to how they think about the future.’
Written by – Andrea Niada
Produced by – Oliver Sunley
Official Selection
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival – 2015
Picture This…Film Festival – 2015
American Documentary Film Festival (AMDOCS) – 2016
Northwestfest – 2016
National Film Festival for Talented Youth – 2016
London International Documentary Festival (OSCAR-qualifying) – 2017
Tacoma Film Festival – 2016
New Orleans Film Festival (OSCAR-qualifying) – 2016
Blow-Up Chicago International Art-House Film Festival – 2016
Screened at the Italian Cultural Institute in London
National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) – Film Of The Week
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Press
“A gentle and sensitive portrait of the vicissitudes of age.”
André Singer – Executive Producer, ‘The Act of Killing’, ‘Into the Abyss’
“It seems almost unfair to refer to Andrea Niada’s How We Are Now as an emotionally satisfying film, because emotionally satisfying doesn’t really begin to express how intellectually satisfying and beautifully constructed the film is as Niada weaves himself into the lives of Peter Kerr and Douglas Adams.”
The Independent Critic
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“There really are two ways of coming away from watching How We Are Now. You are either absolutely besotted with these brilliant characters, sympathising greatly with their fading bodies but loving their carefree attitude towards their approaching finality. Or you are passionately frustrated by the supposed “normality” of this situation, moved to question everything about the way in which society conducts itself, and determined to do your bit to bridge the gap in any way you can. In fact, most will probably come away with both attitudes. This is fierce filmmaking with a potent message and two of the best on screen characters you could wish for.”
UK Film Review
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“The great strength of How We Are Now’s style, its observational format, is how much we intuit, rather than what it tells us. We don’t jump into close-ups to emphasise a relationship quirk or insight, which the filmmakers have discovered in their preparation. Like them meeting Peter and Douglas for the first time, we watch them from one vantage point, and this point-of-view is greatly respectful of both subject and audience. We see everything and in extended takes and developed shots, are given the time to be with these people as we may in person.”
Flickering Myth
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“There comes a point in How We Are Now, this wonderful little observational documentary, when you forget that you’re watching a same-sex couple potter about their house. You’re simply watching the twilight years of a 60-year-old companionship. You’re watching, and imagining, if this is how young love always morphs into unconditional caring, and if feelings age as gently as the body.”
Film Companion
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“With this touchingly poignant yet potently sobering 33-minute documentary short film, writer/director Andrea Niada takes us through a bold journey about both the joys and perils of one of the most resisted aspects of our earthly lives–aging. Presented with a sense of appropriately dramatic tone, but mainly infused with the authenticity of genuine, grounded, and heartfelt sentiment about a six decades long bond and everything it has entailed, the film deftly circumnavigates the base level of Kerr and Adam’s relationship, rather allowing the two men to simply share about the complexities of old age, what it means to them, how it has affected their love for each other, and how the role of one taking care of the other now impacts the situation.”
One Film Fan
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“A poignant tale of companionship. Laurence Stern said that ‘it’s very nice to have a companion on the road if only to point out how the shadows lengthen as the sun declines’ and these beautiful words echo in this film.”
Sir Timothy Ackroyd – Director, ‘Les Parents Terribles’
“Well made, sensitive and illuminative.”
Ron Peck – Director, ‘Nighthawks’, ‘Empire state’
For the full review please click here.